Thread: Optimax vs 4 stroke-Merc

Which would you choose and why? Also,does anyone know the difference in fuel economy between the two?

Well,...with the Optimax being a two stroke DFI(direct fuel injection) motor,it
will be lighter than the four stroke and spin up in RPMs alot faster than the four stroke. I would choose the Optimax for those reasons,especially. As for
fuel efficiency,I am guessing that they might be about equal,but some would
most likely say the four stroke will give better fuel economy. What horsepower
range are you wanting to know more about? I know the Optimax motors go down to 75 HP at the lowest and as high as 250 HP. The only Mercury I had was a small 15 HP carbed two stroke on the transom of a Lund A-14 v-bottom
boat I used to have. For a two stroke,that little motor got far better fuel economy than the 18 HP Evinrude motor I now have on a 14R Sea Nymph.
I may be imagining things here,but it seems the Mercs got better fuel economy than the Evinrudes and Johnsons,...even the carbureted motors!

I was looking into getting a 90 hp,either Optimax or 4 stroke.Just trying to get some input on pros and cons for both.Thanks.

I Have A 150 Opti On A 18 Ft Deep V Fisher I Love It. I Had A 70 Hp Yamaha On A 16ft Lowe This Opti Gets Far Better Milage Than The 70 Did.

Originally Posted by SCOTTY1094

I Have A 150 Opti On A 18 Ft Deep V Fisher I Love It. I Had A 70 Hp Yamaha On A 16ft Lowe This Opti Gets Far Better Milage Than The 70 Did.

Figuring that the 70 HP Yamaha is a carbed two stroke,and with the Optimax
having DFI,I can see why the Merc would achieve better fuel economy. Am I
right or not?

I had a 2002 carbed four stroke Merc 90 and now have a 07 opti 90 and think the opti gets better mileage and starts better than the 4 stroke did. It might be different with the new injected 4 strokes, I'll keep the opti.

i would get the optimax i have been running them for years never a problem just turn key and go plus they are really cheap on gas

I just bought a Merc OptiMax after a lot of research. Better hole shot, more speed and lighter weight just to start. Fuel economy is not really an issue between the two. The 4-stroke is really heavy at 90 HP. You're gonna be up in the air in front of the boat (LOL).

Thanks guys,keep'em coming...

Let me know if any of you have had this experience with max hp on a boat and using an opti. I had a boat with a maximum hp rating of 90hp. I think most manufacturers put this rating on there based on 2 strokes, which are lighter than optis and 4 strokes. If you choose a 4 stroke or opti, should you not go for maximum hp on your boat? The reason I am asking is I had a 90 Opti and I think it was too heavy for my boat and it performed terribly. The Opti got good gas mileage and started great in cold weather